I'm trying something new today. No pictures. Just words. No excess time spent crafting a perfectly pinnable image. Just solid inspiration from me to you.
I stumbled upon the most amazing quote the other day. It said, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, The Dali Lama answered:

"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

If that doesn't make you shiver in your boots, then you're either already totally awake or you're totally dumb. (#truthbomb)

The questions we must ask ourselves and the best takeaways I can suggest:

Figure out what REALLY matters to you (What are you chasing? What do you crave?)

Figure out what REALLY LIVING looks like for you (What LIGHTS you up?)

Spend some time contemplating these two questions and you're sure to experience a profound shift in your life.

What we focus on, we move towards. And... that's why I love this best selling book by Tom Rath. It's a simple book with an outstanding premise: when we focus on our strengths, we thrive.
The bulk of the book is a to be used alongside of the results you get from taking a 35 minute online survey. The survey identifies your top 5 strengths. In order to take the "quiz" you have to buy the book and use your unique passcode in the back.

Why is it important to identify your strengths? Well, your strengths are your strengths, whether you recognize them or not. When you have clarity about what you're good at, it becomes easier to release the things we're not as good at.

Roth talks about using our raw talent as a multiplier:

...we've discovered that the most successful people start with dominant talent -- and then add skills, knowledge, and practice to the mix.

Building on your strengths works as an excellent platform for self-confidence, self-beleif, and self-trust. As if I needed more proof, my five strengths have me confident that life coaching is pretty much my home zone. Chances of me finding a better fit for my talents seems unlikely...

MY TOP FIVE
1. Activator
this strength means I am a fire starter
2. Connectedness
this strength means I THRIVE when I feel connected, supported, and supporting
3. Communication
this strength means I am meant to share my insights
4. WOO (win people over)
this strength means i want people to see and be the best version of themselves
5. Ideation
this strength means ideas energize me

A strengths-based-focus is a fantastic way to look at who you are and what kind of work you are meant to be doing in this world.

Have you taken the strengths-finder assessment? I would love to hear your top 5.
Sylvia

I meet so many intelligent individuals who so unintelligently waste their energy. And, I promise I mean that in the nicest of ways. We all do it... sometimes. But if you are consistently feeling energy-zapped, you might be ready to shine a light of curiosity... to trigger some contemplation.
Maybe-- just maybe -- you are currently feeling energy zapped by some of these I know I feel that way sometimes. BUT...

Shining the light of our attention means we can switch over our intention to embrace new, more "energy efficient" tactics in our lives.

Here they are... five common energy traps and, of course, ways you can "bust out of them" in order to renew and elevate your energy!

1. Expecting too much of anything from anyone

Yes, we can make sensible agreements with people. And, indeed, we can set healthy boundaries. But think for a moment about how much disappointment and frustration comes from failed expectations. It's not pessimistic to lower your expectations. It's freeing! Instead of putting so much focus on what everyone else is doing to you, or for you instead shift your focus. Ask yourself: "How do I want to show up today? Who do I want to be? How do I want to feel? How can I feel that way now!?

2. Attaching to the outcome

When we become fixated on what will happen, or what we want to happen, we lose sight of what's possible, what's beautiful, and what's perfect. If instead we focus on our work "in the moment" we can actually guarantee with more certainty that we will have our eyes on the ball (our goals!), and yet also on the whole field (our desired lifestyle & legacy!).

3. Forgetting that a 'miracle' is just one new thought away

"A Course In Miracles" is an incredible and fairly famous metaphysical book, in which a miracle is defined as: a change in perspective. That is all. And, that is all that is required for us to experience a life-changing breakthrough. If you are in an energy slump, try to remember, this too shall pass, and a loving and comforting thought is always within reach when we are ready.

4. Failing to take care of yourself

At first I wanted to call this trap "failing to be kind to yourself" but self-care is a complex critter. Kindness is so important. So is self-acceptance, self-trust, self-beleif, self-confidence, and ultimately... self-love. Whew. Thats a lot of selfs. And yet, can you put a check mark next to each of these? Do you accept yourself fully? Trust your journey entirely? Have confidence in your abilities? Now, of course nobody is perfect in any of these areas; yet, bringing our attention to the question can change our intention about the question. How do you WANT to feel about yourself? How would you like to be cared for? Whatever it is you want, you can create that for yourself. Once again, if only you are ready to do it for yourself.

5. Losing sight of being "at choice"

Whew. This one is a tough one for me. Once I had kids, I felt tied to the boat, so to speak. I love my kids. Duh. But there is something so "intense" about their needs. They kinda sorta need to eat and stuff. And sleep. Yea, that crazy thing... being in charge of someone else's sleep habits. Oy. But, when we come back to it, we can see that every single thing we do for our children (or our selves, or our spouses, or our bosses, or our mothers) is a CHOICE. We are choosing whether to show up fully, or half-assed. We are in at choice if we give them our best or give them the blame. We can always choose. Once you release the idea that your are obligated to do something and realize that you are actually making your choices from a place of love, logic, and authenticity, it feels much better ... and so much easier to stay in the flow of being the real energetic YOU.